THC Orders 11 Leonardo AW139s and Up to 60 Bombardier Jets

Saudi Arabia’s commercial helicopter operator, The Helicopter Company (THC), placed a firm order for 11 additional Leonardo AW139 intermediate twin-engine Helicopters at the Farnborough International Airshow on July 21, 2026. The acquisition bolsters the operator’s rotary-wing capacity just as it announces a major expansion into fixed-wing business aviation.

In a press release issued during the airshow, Leonardo confirmed the new AW139s are scheduled for Delivery between 2027 and 2028. The order falls under a multi-year framework agreement signed by the two companies in 2024, which allows for the potential acquisition of up to 130 aircraft to support emergency medical services, VIP transport, and offshore operations.

Expanding the rotary-wing fleet

THC, a Public Investment Fund (PIF) company, has rapidly scaled its operations to align with the Saudi Vision 2030 initiative. According to Arab News, the operator currently maintains an active fleet of 60 aircraft across Saudi Arabia.

The latest commitment follows a recent milestone for the partnership, with Leonardo having just delivered the 40th aircraft to THC. The AW139 program itself has accumulated approximately 1,600 global orders across more than 90 countries.

“We are very pleased to move forward into the next stage of THC’s Leonardo helicopter fleet expansion and modernization plan which we launched two years ago, having also recently celebrated the delivery of the operator’s 40th aircraft,” said Gian Piero Cutillo, Co-General Manager of Leonardo and Managing Director of Leonardo Helicopters. “We stand ready and committed to supporting THC through its long-term strategy project to make sure our technology provides the high standard of service KSA’s communities expect.”

Strategic shift to fixed-wing operations

While the Leonardo order strengthens THC’s established helicopter operations, the company used the Farnborough Airshow to announce a fundamental shift in its business model. According to reporting by Aviation Week, THC signed a Letter of Intent with Bombardier on July 21, 2026, for up to 60 business jets.

The fixed-wing agreement includes a firm order for 12 aircraft, comprising five Bombardier Challenger 3500s, five Bombardier Global 5500s, and two Bombardier Global 8000s. The deal also includes purchase options for 48 additional jets, marking THC’s evolution into a comprehensive general aviation provider.

Captain Arnaud Martinez, CEO of THC, noted in the Leonardo press release that the AW139 order contributes to a broader fleet optimization Strategy while supporting plans to grow the company’s global footprint.

AirPro News analysis

We view THC’s concurrent announcements at Farnborough as a clear indicator of the Public Investment Fund’s aggressive timeline for building a self-sufficient aviation ecosystem in Saudi Arabia. By executing a massive fixed-wing order with Bombardier alongside steady, incremental rotary-wing acquisitions from Leonardo, THC is rapidly transforming from a specialized domestic helicopter operator into a diversified, international aviation services provider. The dual original equipment Manufacturers (OEM) strategy mitigates supply chain risks while ensuring the company has the specific airframes required to support both regional emergency services and long-haul VIP transport.

Sources: Leonardo